Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/142

RV 137 (LADY T'AI CHÊN) cloud unrolling like a bolt of white silk. As he reached the south side of T'ien-chin Bridge, the storm overtook him, uprooting great trees along the road.

He was drenched, when he arrived at the Palace to make his report.

On the spot at which the storm overtook Kao Li-shih, Ming Huang ordered that a temple was to be built.

Ming Huang was restless at Loyang, longing to be on the march. He could not forget the glory of Lady T'ai Chên.

Once more his company set out. The T'angs taught their horses to amble, thus conserving their strength. They were able to go extraordinarily long distances without distress.

Under Ming Huang the breed and mettle of horses were kept at a high standard. Though in appearance they were not comparable to those of Arabia, they matched them in endurance, in adaptability and in understanding. The horses of government officials were so well cared for, one scholar declared he would rather be a viceroy's horse than his secretary. At times, the care of horses merged on the fantastic. One of these ennobled horses belonged to the Emperor. After serving his Imperial Master well, he was retired to a life of ease. In the Imperial stables, he was assigned an ornate room with special servants to care for him. He slept on a matted couch and lived upon dates and RV 137 (137)